Homemade Paneer

This is the first time I made paneer at home. I have always used store bought paneer for my paneer dishes. I had some milk leftover and I had to finish it soon before the expiry date. I ventured making paneer and I found that it is so easy to make paneer and I will never return to the store bought ones again. It needs no special skills to make paneer. I got a block of soft and tender paneer from half a gallon of whole milk. I plan to try it with reduced fat milk sometime again.
Paneer can be used in make a variety of delicious curries, parathas and several Indian sweets.

Ingredients
Whole milk - 1/2 gallon or 2 litres
Vinegar/lemon juice - 2 tablespoon

Directions
In a heavy bottomed vessel, take the milk and bring it to a boil. Keep stirring in between, because the milk tends to stick to the bottom of the vessel.

Once the milk boils, reduce the heat and slowly add the vinegar or lemon juice to the boiled milk.

After a minute or two, the milk separates into the whey and paneer and forms a cloudy texture on top. Keep stirring occasionally. In about five minutes, the milk should be completely seperated into whey and paneer. Switch off the heat and leave it to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Place a wet muslin cloth/ thin,clean cotton handkerchief/ thick paper cloth over a big bowl.
Slowly pour the whey-paneer mixture and strain the paneer. Take care because it should be really hot.
Squeeze out the excess water from the paneer. Store the whey and use it for kneading chapati dough, in soups and stews because it is very healthy. You could refrigerate/freeze it and use later.
Make a knot in the cloth with the paneer and hang it for about an hour so that the whey water completely strains out. Alternatively you could place the cloth wrapped paneer in a plate and place some heavy object on top for about an hour so that the water gets squeezed out.
Paneer is ready. You can slice the paneer and use it in various dishes. Refrigerate the paneer immediately.
Storing paneer:
Place the paneer in a container filled with water if refrigerated. it should be stored in water similar to tofu.

Some dishes with paneer:
Paneer Paratha
Simla Mirch Paneer/Cottage Cheese in a bell pepper gravy
Paneer Butter Masala
Mutter Paneer/Paneer Peas Curry